Herbicidal 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl) pyridine-1-oxides

ABSTRACT

Selective herbicidal 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl) pyridine-1-oxides, e.g., 2-(alpha-phenyl-alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl) pyridine-1-oxide controls weed grasses without injury to such crops as cucumber.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 077,431, filed Sept. 20, 1979 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,677.

This invention relates to 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxides, a herbicidal composition containing such oxide, and a method for herbicidal control of undesirable plant species using such oxide.

The herbicidal compounds of the invention have the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, phenyl substituted with at least one of the substituents C₁ to C₈ alkyl, C₁ to C₈ alkoxy, phenoxy, benzyloxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, nitro, cyano, carboxy, carbalkoxy, carbamido, methylsulfonyl dioxymethylene, 2-naphthyl, and 2-(2',2'-dichloro-1'-methylcyclopropyl).

W. Walter et al., Liebig's Ann., 695, 77 (1966), disclose 2-(phenylmethylsulfinyl)pyridine 1-oxide (also called 2-benzylsulfinylpyridine 1-oxide) and 2-(phenylmethylsulfonyl) pyridine 1-oxide (also called 2-benzylsulfonylpyridine 1-oxide), but no utility for these chemicals is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,107,994, Rawlings et al., Oct. 22, 1963, discloses certain herbicidal 2-(alkenylthio)pyridine 1-oxides, while U.S. Pat. No. 3,155,671, D'Amico, Nov. 3, 1964, discloses certain herbicidal benzyl 2-thiopyridine 1-oxides. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,960,542 and 4,019,893, Plant et al., June 1, 1976 and Apr. 26, 1977 disclose certain 2-sulfinyl and 2-sulfonyl pyridine 1-oxides.

The state of the art is further illustrated by such references as E. Shaw et al., JACS 72, 4362 (1950) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,307, Kaminsky et al., Nov. 13, 1973.

The present 2-alpha-chloromethyl sulfonyl pyridine 1-oxide derivatives make possible markedly improved results, specifically in crop selectivity over various compounds of the prior art.

Weeds compete with crops for light, moisture, nutrients and space. Thus, weeds inhibit the production of foliage, fruit or seed of agricultural crops. The presence of weeds may also reduce the quality of the harvested crop and reduce harvesting efficiency. Weed control is essential for maximum production of many agronomic and horticultural crops including soybeans (Glycine max L.) peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.)cotton (Gossypium sp.) sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

In accordance with the invention, there are provided now herbicidally effective 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxides of the formula stated above.

The 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxide derivatives of the invention are useful for preemergence control of weeds, and are furthermore remarkable for their ability to selectively control woods without injury to desirable crops. Excellent control of weeds such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), goosegrass (Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.), giant foxtail (Setaria faberi Herrm.), yellow foxtail Setaria lutescens (Weigel) Hubb.), green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.) can be achieved with such chemicals as 2-[alpha-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)]pyridine 1-oxide, without injury to such crops as cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.).

Surprisingly, the herein described 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxides are unexpectedly more selective herbicides than their corresponding precursors or corresponding alpha methyl substituted herbicides.

The procedure for using the present 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxide derivatives as herbicides may be in accordance with conventional agricultural practice. The chemicals are ordinarily applied as formulations containing a carrier and/or surface-active agent. The formulation may contain more than one of the described 2-(alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxide derivatives if desired; other active herbicides may be included in the formulation as well.

Thus, the chemical may be impregnated on finely divided or granular inorganic or organic carriers such as attapulgite clay, sand, vermiculite, corn cobs, activated carbon or other granular carriers known to the art. The impregnated granules may then be spread on the soil. Furthermore, the chemical may be formulated as a wettable powder by grinding it into a fine powder and mixing it with an inactive powdered carrier to which a surface active dispersing agent has been added. Typical powdered solid carriers are the various mineral silicates, e.g., mica, talc, pyrophyllite and clays. The wettable powder may then be dispersed in water and sprayed on the soil surface or weeds. Similarly, an emulsifiable concentrate may be prepared by dissolving the chemical in a solvent such as benzene, toluene, or other aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon to which a surface active dispersing agent has been added. The emulsifiable concentrate may then be dispersed in water and applied by spraying. Suitable surface active agents are well known to those skilled in the art and reference may be had to McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, 1970, Allured Publishing Corp., Ridgewood, N.J.; or Hoffman et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,614,916, cols. 2 to 4 and 2,547,724, cols. 3 and 4, for example of appropriate surface active agents. The concentration of active chemical in the formulation may vary widely, e.g., from 1 to 95%. The concentration of active chemical in dispersions applied to the soil or foliage is almost invariably from 0.002% to 75%. The chemical is frequently applied at rates of 0.10 to 25 pounds per acre. For use as a preemergence herbicide, the chemical is applied to soil which contains weed and crop seed (either to the surface of the soil or incorporated into the upper one to three inches of soil).

The most suitable rate of application in any given case will depend on such factors as soil type, soil pH, soil organic matter content, the quantity and intensity of rainfall before and after treatment, the air and soil temperature, light intensity and light duration per day. All of these factors can have an influence on the efficacy of the chemicals for use as herbicides.

The herbicidal use may include selective weed control in crops such as cucumber, soybeans, cotton, and peanuts.

Compounds of the invention may be used for selective control of various grasses in diverse crops including Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cotton (Gossypium sp.), soybeans Glycine max (L.) Merr., peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). Application may be in aqueous solutions or suspensions which may be sprayed onto the soil surface prior to weed and crop emergence and before or after the crop seed is sown. The soil may receive a shallow tilling (less than 3 inches) after application of the chemical, but this is not required as it is with some preemergence herbicides. The compounds of this invention may also be applied by broadcast of a granular formulation prior to weed and crop emergence.

Various weeds such as crabgrass Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Muhl. may be controlled by postemergence application of compounds of this invention.

Compound of this invention may be added as a "tank mix" to other herbicide solutions so that the number of different weed species controlled in a single application will be increased. The formulations of invention compounds may also include other herbicides so that the spectrum of weeds controlled by spray or granular application may be increased.

The types of starting materials most generally employed in the preparation of these compounds are known and described in the literature. These parent 2-aryl-methylsulfonylpyridine-1-oxides are prepared by methods cited in U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,542. Their subsequent conversion to the title compounds (alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxides is carried out using a modification of a known procedure. (C. Y. Meyers, et. al., J. Org. Chem., 91, 7510 (1969); C. Y. Meyers, et. al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1105 (1974) ).

The solvent, N,N-dimethylformamide, is used without drying. Sodium hydroxide (97-98%) is freshly ground to a powder before use, care being taken to avoid prolonged exposure to moisture. Temperature is generally maintained from -5° to +5° C., with reaction times between 25 and 35 min.

The synthesis of the 2-(alpha-aryl-alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxides and of 2-[alpha-(2',2'-dichloro-1'-methylcyclopropyl)-alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide can be illustrated by the following examples:

EXAMPLE 1 2-(alpha-phenyl-alpha-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide

Carbon tetrachloride (3.1 g, 20 mmol) and freshly ground sodium hydroxide (1.0 g, 25 mmol) were placed in 25 ml of dimethylformamide. The mixture was cooled to 0° using an acetone-ice bath and while vigorously stirring, 2-(phenylmethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide (5.00 g, 20 mmol) was added in one portion. After 20 min. the mixture was poured into 300 ml of well-stirred water, resulting in a suspension of light tan precipitate.

The precipitate was filtered off, washed with excess water and air-dried to give 4.9 g of crude product (via NMR, 86% yield). Recrystallization from ethanol afforded a tan solid, m.p. 149°-150° dec.

Analysis: Calc. for C₁₂ H₁₀ ClNO₃ S: C 50.79; H 3.53; N 4.94.

Found: C 50.77; H 3.53; N 4.82.

EXAMPLE 2 2-[alpha-(2,5-Dimethylphenyl)-2-chloromethyl sulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide

Carbon tetrachloride (3.40 g, 22 mmol) and powdered sodium hydroxide (1.0 g, 25 mmol) were placed in 20 ml of dimethylformamide. The mixture was allowed to cool to 0° C. in an acetone-ice bath, whereupon 2-(2,5-Dimethylphenylmethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide (5.54 g, 20 mmol) was added in one portion while vigorously stirring the reaction mixture. After 30 min. at 0° C. the mixture was poured into 200 ml of well-stirred water.

The resulting brown precipitate was filtered off, washed with excess water and air-dried to afford 5.0 g crude product (pure via NMR, 62% yield). Recrystallization from ethanol afforded 2.7 g of light tan powder, m.p. 183°-184° dec.

Analysis: Calc. for C₁₄ H₁₄ ClNO₃ S: C 54.02; H 4.50; N 4.50.

Found: C 53.53; H 4.48; N 4.56.

EXAMPLE 3 2-[alpha-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)alpha-chloromethyl]pyridine-1-oxide

Carbon tetrachloride (5.4 g, 35 mmol) and freshly ground sodium hydroxide (1.4 g, 35 mmol) were placed in a flask containing 20 ml of dimethylformamide and the mixture cooled to 0° with an acetone-ice bath. While rapidly stirring this mixture, 2-(3,4-Dimethylphenylmethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide (8.31 g, 30 mmol) was added in one portion.

After 30 min., the reaction mixture was poured into 300 ml of stirred water and the resulting precipitate was separated by filtration. The precipitate was washed with excess water and allowed to air dry, affording 8.78 g of crude product (pure via NMR, 94% yield). Recrystallization from ethanol-chloroform yielded 5.1 g of pure product, m.p. 164° dec.

Analysis: Calc. for C₁₄ H₁₄ ClNO₃ S: C 54.02; H 4.50; N 4.50.

Found: C 53.77; H 4.53; N 4.51.

EXAMPLE 4 2-[alpha-(1,1'-Biphenyl-4-yl)-alpha-chloromethyl]pyridine-1-oxide

Carbon tetrachloride (1.23 g, 8.0 mmol) and freshly ground sodium hydroxide (0.29 g, 7.2 mmol) were placed in a reaction flask containing 15 ml of dimethylformamide. After cooling the mixture to 0° with an acetone-ice bath, 2-(1,1'-biphenyl-4-yl-methylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide (2.11 g, 6.5 mmol) was added in one portion while vigorously stirring the reaction mixture. After 35 min. the mixture was poured into 250 ml of well-stirred water, whereupon a solid separated out.

The solid was isolated by filtration, washing with excess water, and air-drying. In this manner, 2.13 g of brown solid was obtained (pure product via NMR, 91% yield), m.p. 182°-184° dec.

¹ H-NMR: δ7.05 (1H,s,SO₂ CHClR), δ7.2-8.4 (13H,m).

EXAMPLE 5 2[alpha-(2',2'-Dichloro-1'methylcyclopropyl)chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide

Carbon tetrachloride (1.28 g, 8.3 mmol) and freshly ground sodium hydroxide (0.31 g, 7.6 mmol) were placed in a reaction flask containing 15 ml of dimethylformamide stirring at 0°. To this was added in one portion while applying vigorous stirring, 2-(2', 2'-dichloro-1'-methylcyclopropylmethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide (2.03 g, 6.9 mmol). The reaction temperature was maintained at 0° with an external acetone-ice bath. After 35 min., the mixture was poured into 200 ml of well-stirred water and the precipitate which separated out was filtered off, washed with excess water, and air-dried to afford 2.00 g of brown solid (pure product via NMR, 88% yield), m.p. 188°-189° dec.

¹ H-NMR: δ1.72 (3H,s,CH₃), δ1.76 (1H,d,J=8 Hz, 3-H), δ2.35 (1H,d,J-8 Hz, 3-H, δ6.20 (1H, s,α-H), δ7.50 (2H,m. pyridyl), δ8.15 (2H, m, pyridyl).

The foregoing and similar preparations are summarized in Table I.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     HERBICIDAL COMPOUNDS                                                                                                               Analysis:                  Compound                                    Empirical                                                                              Calc/Found                 Number                                                                               Name                             m.p. Formula C    H  N                  __________________________________________________________________________     2     2-[α-(2,5-Dimethylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        183-4° dec                                                                   C.sub.14 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR2##                                                                            ##STR3##                                                                          ##STR4##          1     2-(α-phenyl-α-chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine-1-oxide                                                 149-50° dec                                                                  C.sub.12 H.sub.10 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR5##                                                                            ##STR6##                                                                          ##STR7##          6     2-[α-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        163-65° dec                                                                  C.sub.12 H.sub.8 Cl.sub.3                                                      NO.sub.3 S                                                                              ##STR8##                                                                            ##STR9##                                                                          ##STR10##         7     2-[α-(3-Fluorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            160-1° dec                                                                   C.sub.12 H.sub.9 ClFNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR11##                                                                           ##STR12##                                                                         ##STR13##         12    2-[α-(4-Fluorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            166° dec                                                                     C.sub.12 H.sub.9 ClFNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR14##                                                                           ##STR15##                                                                         ##STR16##         8     2-[α-(2-Fluorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            166° dec                                                                     C.sub.12 H.sub.9 ClFNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR17##                                                                           ##STR18##                                                                         ##STR19##         9     2-[α-(4-Methylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            166° dec                                                                     C.sub.13 H.sub.12 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR20##                                                                           ##STR21##                                                                         ##STR22##         10    2-[α-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-α -chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridi           ne-1-oxide                       174° dec                                                                     C.sub.12 H.sub.8 Cl.sub.3                                                      NO.sub.3 S                                                                              ##STR23##                                                                           ##STR24##                                                                         ##STR25##         11    2-[α-(2-Ethoxyphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            164° dec                                                                     C.sub.14 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.4                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR26##                                                                           ##STR27##                                                                         ##STR28##         13    2-[α-(2-Methylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            171-2° dec                                                                   C.sub.13 H.sub.12 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR29##                                                                           ##STR30##                                                                         ##STR31##         14    2-[α-(2,4-Dimethylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        169-70°                                                                      C.sub.14 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     3     2-[α-(3,4-Dimethylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        165° dec                                                                     C.sub.14 H.sub. 14 ClNO.sub.3                                                  S                                                                                       ##STR32##                                                                           ##STR33##                                                                         ##STR34##         15    2-[α-2,4,6-Trimethylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyrid           ine-1-oxide                      189-91°                                                                      C.sub.15 H.sub.16 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     16    2-[α-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        155-7°                                                                       C.sub.12 H.sub.8 Cl.sub.3                                                      NO.sub.3 S                                                                             NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     17    2-[α-(2-Nitrophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-o           xide                             143-5°                                                                       C.sub.12 H.sub.9 ClN.sub.2                                                     O.sub.5 S                                                                              NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     18    2-[α-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridi           ne-1-oxide                       165-6° dec                                                                   C.sub.14 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.5                                                   S                                                                                       ##STR35##                                                                           ##STR36##                                                                         ##STR37##         19    2-[α-2,5-Diisopropylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyrid           ine-1-oxide                      160-2°                                                                       C.sub.18 H.sub.22 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     20    2-[α-(2-Naphthyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxid           e                                160-3°                                                                       C.sub.16 H.sub.12 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     21    2-[α-(3-Bromophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-o           xide                             168-9°                                                                       C.sub.12 H.sub.9 BrClNO.sub.3                                                  S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     5     2-[α-(2', 2'-Dichloro-1'-methylcyclopropyl)-α                                                       188-89°                                                                      C.sub.10 H.sub.10 Cl.sub.3                                                     NO.sub.3 S                                                                             NMR, IR                          chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide                                                                           dec                                     22    2-[α-(3-Methylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            165°                                                                         C.sub.13 H.sub.12 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     23    2-[α-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]py           ridine-1-oxide                   139-42°                                                                      C.sub.13 H.sub.9 ClF.sub.3                                                     NO.sub.3 S                                                                             NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     24    2-[α-(4-Cyanophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-o           xide                             189-90°                                                                      C.sub.13 H.sub.9 ClN.sub.2                                                     O.sub.3 S                                                                              NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     25    2-[α-(4-Nitrophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-o           xide                             191°                                                                         C.sub.12 H.sub.9 ClN.sub.2                                                     O.sub.5 S                                                                              NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     26    2-[α-(4-Chlorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            170°                                                                         C.sub.12 H.sub.9 Cl.sub.2                                                      NO.sub.3 S                                                                             NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     27    2-[α(4-t-Butylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-           oxide                            153°                                                                         C.sub.16 H.sub.18 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     4     2-[α-(1,1'-Biphenyl-4-yl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        182-4°                                                                       C.sub.18 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     28    2-[α-(2,3-Dimethoxyphenyl)-α-chloromethysulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        154-5°                                                                       C.sub.14 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.5                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     29    2-[α-(2,3,6-Trichlorophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyri           dine-1-oxide                     159-61°                                                                      C.sub.12 H.sub.7 Cl.sub.4                                                      NO.sub.3 S                                                                             NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     30    2-[α-(2-Iodophenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-ox           ide                              172°                                                                         C.sub.12 H.sub.9 ClINO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     31    2-[α-(2-Phenoxyphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1           -oxide                           152°                                                                         C.sub.18 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.4                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     32    2-[α-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1           -oxide                           201°                                                                         C.sub.13 H.sub.10 ClNO.sub.5                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     33    2-[α-(4-Methyl-2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl)-α-chloromethyl           -                                198-200°                                                                     C.sub.13 H.sub.8 Cl.sub.5                                                      NO.sub.3 S                                                                             NMR, IR                          sulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide        dec                                     34    2-[α-(4-Isopropylphenyl)-α -chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridin           e-1-oxide                        152°                                                                         C.sub.15 H.sub.16 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     35    2-[α-(4-Ethylphenyl)-α-chloromethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-o           xide                             132-35°                                                                      C.sub.14 H.sub.14 ClNO.sub.3                                                   S       NMR, IR                                                           dec                                     __________________________________________________________________________

The following examples will serve to illustrate the herbicidal method and composition of the invention in more detail. The examples summarized in Table II illustrate control of weeds with the chemicals while Table III illustrates improved crop selectivity.

EXAMPLE 6

To illustrate effectiveness of the described 2-(chloromethylsulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxides as preemergent herbicides, 600 mg chemical is dissolved in 10 ml organic solvent (e.g., acetone) to which 30 mg conventional emulsifying agent (e.g., isoctyl polyethoxyethanol, "Triton X100" (trademark) is added. The solution is diluted to 100 ml with distilled water. Twenty milliliters of this 6000 ppm solution is diluted to 250 ppm with distilled water. The chemical is applied at the rate of 10 lbs/A (pounds per acre) by drenching 46 ml of the 250 ppm solution on the surface of soil in 41/2 inch diameter plastic pots which had been sown with the following weed seeds: rough pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.), tall morning glory (Ipomea purpurea (L.) Roth), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), green foxtail (setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) The percent control of the weeds compared to untreated checks is determined two weeks after treatment. Table II shows the results with the preemergence herbicides of the invention prepared in accordance with the above examples.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Herbicide Activity of 2-(chloromethyl-                                         sulfonyl)pyridine 1-oxide derivatives.                                                           Wild                                                         Compound                                                                             Rate                                                                              Pig Jimson-                                                                             Morning                                                                             Barnyard                                                                            Switch                                                                             Green                                                                              Purple                                     No.   lb/A                                                                              Weed                                                                               Weed Glory                                                                               Grass                                                                               Grass                                                                              Foxtail                                                                            Nutsedge                                   __________________________________________________________________________     2     10 100 0    50   98   98  98  100                                        1     10 --  --   100  100  100 98  100                                        6     10 --  0    0    98   100 100 100                                        7     10 --  0    0    98   100 95  100                                        8     10 --  0    0    100  100 98  100                                        9     10 --  0    0    100  100 98  0                                          10    10 --  0    0    50   100 75  100                                        11    10 --  0    0    98   100 98  0                                          __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 7

Selectivity of a herbicide is desirable since it allows control of weeds growing among desirable crop plants. To illustrate the usefulness of the compounds of this invention as selective preemergence herbicides, 25 mg chemical is dissolved in 5 ml organic solvent (e.g., acetone) to which 10 mg conventional emulsifying agent (e.g., isoctyl polyethoxyethanol, "Triton X100" (Trademark) is added. The solution is diluted to 100 ml with distilled water. Forty ml of the resulting 250 ppm solution is diluted to 100 ml with distilled water. The chemical is applied at the rate of 4 lb/A (Pounds per acre) by drenching 80 ml of the 100 ppm on the surface of soil in 6 inch diameter plastic pots which had been sown with weed and crop seeds. The present control of the weeds and crop injury is determined three weeks after treatment. Table III shows the selectivity advantage of the chloromethyl compounds.

The compounds listed in Table III beginning with No. 36 are as follows:

36. 2-[1-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)ethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide

37. 2-[1-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)methylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide

38. 2-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

39. 2-(3'-fluorobenzyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

40. 2-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

41. 2-(2-ethoxyphenyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

42. 2-(2-fluorobenzyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

43. 2-[1-(4'-methylphenyl)ethylsulfonyl]pyridine-1-oxide

44. 2-(p-tolylmethyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

45. 2-(1'-phenyl)ethylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

46. 2-(benzyl)methylsulfonyl pyridine-1-oxide

All other compounds are as previously listed in Table I.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                         Crop selectivity of alpha-chloro,                                              alpha-methyl and unsubstituted 2-                                              sulfonyl pyridine 1-oxides                                                             Percent Weed Control or Crop Injury                                         Rate     Barnyard Switch  Goose                                           No.  lb/A     Grass    Grass   Grass Cucumber                                  ______________________________________                                         36   4        100      100     100   80                                        37   4        100      100     100   60                                        2    4        100      100     100   20                                        38   4        100      100     100   95                                        6    4        100      100     100   50                                        38   2        100      100     100   50                                        6    2        95       100     100   0                                         39   4        100      50      100   40                                        7    4        100      100     100   0                                         40   4        100      100     100   25                                        10   4        95       100     100   0                                         41   4        100      100     100   25                                        11   4        95       70      100   0                                         42   4        100      100     100   0                                         8    4        90       100     100   0                                         43   4        100      100     100   30                                        44   4        100      100     100   0                                         9    4        85       100     100   0                                         45   4        100      100     100   25                                        46   4        95       85      100   0                                         1    4        100      100     100   0                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

Listed below are non-limiting examples of formulations which can be used in this invention.

    __________________________________________________________________________       9.6% active one lb/gallon emulsifiable concentrate                           a.  2-(α-2,5-Dimethylphenyl-α-chloromethylsulfonyl)                                                       0.6                                                                               gm                                       pyridine 1-oxide                                                           b.  Blend of oil soluble sulfonates with polyoxyethylene                                                              0.55                                                                              gm                                       ethers (Emcol                                                                  W39-BU (Trademark) Witco Chemical Corp.; e.g., nonylphenol poly-               oxyethylene plus calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate)                         c.  Chloroform                         2.4                                                                               gm                                   d.  Benzaldehyde                       2.7                                                                               gm                                     75% active wettable powder                                                   a.  2-(α-2,5-Dimethylphenyl-α-chloromethylsulfonyl) pyridine           1-oxide                            78.3                                                                              gm                                   b.  Sodium N--methyl-N Palmitoyl laurate (Igepon TN-74 (trademark)                                                    0.5                                                                               gm                                       Corp.)                                                                     c.  Sodium alylnapthalene sulfonate (Nekal BA-77 (Trademark)                                                          1.0                                                                               gm                                       Corp.)                                                                     d.  Sodium salt of sulfonated kraft Lignin (0.5 mole) (Polyfon                                                        1.0                                                                               gm                                       (Trademark) Westvaco)                                                      e.  Alkaryl Polyether alcohol OPE 9-10 on an inert carrier (40%                                                       1.0ive)                                                                           gm                                       (Triton AG-120 (Trademark) Rohn and Haas).                                 f.  Hydrated amorphous silica (Hi Sil 233) (Trademark)                                                                7.3                                                                               gm                                   g.  Kaolinite clay(Dixie Clay) (Trademark)                                                                            10.9                                                                              gm                                     5% active granule                                                            a.  2-(α-2,5-Dimethylphenyl-α-chlormethylsulfonyl) pyridine            1-oxide                            1.0                                                                               gm                                   b.  Methylene chloride                 9.0                                                                               gm                                   c.  Above solution sprayed onto hydrated magnesium aluminum                                                           19.0                                                                              gm                                       Silicate 25/50 mesh (Attaclay) (Trademark)                                 __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. A herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of a compound having the formula ##STR38## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of 2,5-dimethylphenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, 2,6-dichlorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl and 2-ethoxyphenyl; and a carrier therefor. 